OBD2 adapter to use with Forscan

NZ XR6 · 24-04-2021, 08:04 AM

The check engine light on the MB came on for the first time recently. Topping up the coolant fixed it - it came on after I parked across a slope, and the coolant level was just above the MIN line.

Anyway, I've been meaning to buy an adapter for some time and will go ahead and do so. A couple of questions first:

Are the Bluetooth adapters reliable, or is it better to buy a USB version and use a laptop?
There are some cheap adapters on eBay, or is it better to spend the extra on a OBDLink device. The EX would be under NZ$100 from the US.

T3rminator · 24-04-2021, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

The check engine light on the MB came on for the first time recently. Topping up the coolant fixed it - it came on after I parked across a slope, and the coolant level was just above the MIN line.

Anyway, I've been meaning to buy an adapter for some time and will go ahead and do so. A couple of questions first:

Are the Bluetooth adapters reliable, or is it better to buy a USB version and use a laptop?
There are some cheap adapters on eBay, or is it better to spend the extra on a OBDLink device. The EX would be under NZ$100 from the US.

I've had my sub $20 ebay elm 327 device for 8 years and it's working like it did day 1.

Go for version 1.5. I heard version 2.x had a lot of issues.

cobrin · 24-04-2021, 03:40 PM

I have a cheap one also, it's BT and I've used it on Fords/Honda/Landrover. I thought about the $100 OBDLink but it's only for light duties so I grabbed the cheap knockoff for $17 way back when.

I've thought about modding it to give me access to HS but I've not needed to warrant doing it. I have software on my laptop and it's been great, I've never needed to program anything or have changed parameters like I thought I'd have been doing by now so it services well.

It is a Konnwei KW902 (a green one) and they're still on ebay.au. However all that being said Forscan also warns you from buying fakes/copies for good reason. Am I lucky that mine is good with every app and program I've used probably and it's on that, that I'll probably say go the OBDLink if the price is reasonable to you.

I don't miss not having the best adaptor out there and I'm not even sure I'm being held back diagnosing issues, but I"ve enjoyed immensely having the ability to with the Mondeo and other vehicles The ease of use with BT on a phone/tablet/laptop has been convenient, I don't have any apple devices so it was a no brainer BT for me.

If you want more than just an adaptor then you could look at another device all together with much more features for a couple of hundred.

If I were you in your situation today I'd go the quality adaptor.

NZ XR6 · 24-04-2021, 08:02 PM

I can get a V1.5 ELM327 for $6 on TradeMe (NZ ebay). Might try that first.

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T3rminator · 24-04-2021, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

I can get a V1.5 ELM327 for $6 on TradeMe (NZ ebay). Might try that first.

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Would recommend a slim line one so you can close the fuse panel after it is fitted. Basically you can just leave it in there and connect your phone to it automatically every time you get in the car. It will turn itself off when you turn the key off.

T3rminator · 24-04-2021, 08:23 PM

Read this...

https://www.carscanner.info/choosing-obdii-adapter/

NZ XR6 · 25-04-2021, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Read this...

https://www.carscanner.info/choosing-obdii-adapter/

Thanks for the link.

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rondeo · 25-04-2021, 08:32 AM

See also:

https://forscan.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=6142

https://www.ecoboostperformanceforum...hp?topic=651.0

I have the OBDLink MX bluetooth. It does have an issue when not used for a long time needs unplugging and plugging back in to get going.

NZ XR6 · 26-04-2021, 06:26 AM

The world of cheap ELM327 clones looks a little scary these days. There are even fake KW902 adapters that can damage your vehicle!

I have a lightweight laptop and will get an EX USB adapter, which at least should work well with Forscan.

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T3rminator · 26-04-2021, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

The world of cheap ELM327 clones looks a little scary these days. There are even fake KW902 adapters that can damage your vehicle!

I have a lightweight laptop and will get an EX USB adapter, which at least should work well with Forscan.

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Maybe try source it from Amazon, then you can read the reviews on the actual product and gauge if it's genuine.

One thing I don't like about eBay is that the reviews are focused on the seller rather than the actual product.

NZ XR6 · 27-04-2021, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Maybe try source it from Amazon, then you can read the reviews on the actual product and gauge if it's genuine.

One thing I don't like about eBay is that the reviews are focused on the seller rather than the actual product.

There an Android app, ELM327 Identifier, that can test the adapter and determine how many functions actually work.

Someone local on TradeMe is selling the Konnwei KW903 in branded packaging. Their feedback is very good, so I may buy one and check it with the app.

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T3rminator · 27-04-2021, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

There an Android app, ELM327 Identifier, that can test the adapter and determine how many functions actually work.

Someone local on TradeMe is selling the Konnwei KW903 in branded packaging. Their feedback is very good, so I may buy one and check it with the app.

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Brilliant, never knew about this app.

I'm assuming this means mine can read everything from v1.5. Now you got me wondering what the other commands that it can't read are.

NZ XR6 · 27-04-2021, 07:49 PM

Some of the sellers on AliExpress show the results from the app in their listings. I'm now looking at the Vgate iCar Pro, which supports V2.2. There is even a Bluetooth 4 version for iOS.

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NZ XR6 · 28-04-2021, 08:19 AM

I've taken a deep breath, signed up to AliExpress and ordered a Vgate iCar Pro for NZ$25, including shipping. I found a YouTube review showing it working well with Forscan on an Android device. https://youtu.be/GNLVSjDt4CI

I have used PayPal in case it all goes horribly wrong...

T3rminator · 28-04-2021, 10:28 AM

Let me know how it goes. I was also looking at the same one but on ebay. They also had a screenshot of the results, but anyone can copy and paste a screenshot

Whilst my 8 year old v1.5 is working ok, I'm keen to see what extras v2.2 can read.

NZ XR6 · 28-04-2021, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Let me know how it goes. I was also looking at the same one but on ebay. They also had a screenshot of the results, but anyone can copy and paste a screenshot

Whilst my 8 year old v1.5 is working ok, I'm keen to see what extras v2.2 can read.

Will do, it should be V2.2 according to the screen shots. One advantage according to the YouTube review is that it actually powers off and on with the ignition switch.

Delivery is quoted as 13 - 20 days so it may be a while before I can review it.

NZ XR6 · 06-05-2021, 03:35 AM

The check engine light came on again after I put some diesel in yesterday, and the coolant level is fine.

Hopefully the Vgate adapter will be here in about a week...

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T3rminator · 06-05-2021, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

The check engine light came on again after I put some diesel in yesterday, and the coolant level is fine.

Hopefully the Vgate adapter will be here in about a week...

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That is a really odd scenario. I've heard diesels can have a very sensitive fuel system. Dad used to yell at me if I drive with a 1/4 tank, apparently something about it ruining the fuel system.

If there is a CEL it will most likely throw a code, and the scanner should tell you what code. Then its a bit of a guessing game as to what is causing that code. Sometimes the code can say its X, but actually its Y that is causing X to trigger the code. Good luck!

cobrin · 06-05-2021, 12:33 PM

hmm do you think the filling up has any relevance to the CEL?

Do you think it could be the water sensor in the fuel filter assembly, do you know when the last time the fuel filter was changed?

sorry for the 20 questions, your adaptor will arrive soon and hopefully tell all.

You can put the dash into test mode and see some codes if you have the convers+ dash

NZ XR6 · 06-05-2021, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobrin

hmm do you think the filling up has any relevance to the CEL?

Do you think it could be the water sensor in the fuel filter assembly, do you know when the last time the fuel filter was changed?

sorry for the 20 questions, your adaptor will arrive soon and hopefully tell all.

You can put the dash into test mode and see some codes if you have the convers+ dash

The filter was changed about 2 years ago, which would be about 25,000 km. I used to check the water drain under the filter at every oil change, but only diesel ever came out.

No Convers+ dash.

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NZ XR6 · 08-05-2021, 08:27 AM

A message from AliExpress to say my adapter arrived in Auckland yesterday. Now we wait for customs clearance....

NZ XR6 · 08-05-2021, 09:57 AM

I wonder why Google thought I might be interested in this: https://getfixd.io/blog-students-vs-...me=New+Zealand

I'm not recommending this in any way.

T3rminator · 08-05-2021, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

I wonder why Google thought I might be interested in this: https://getfixd.io/blog-students-vs-...me=New+Zealand

I'm not recommending this in any way.

The only thing they have added here, from what I can see in the ad, is some laymans description of the codes. Handy for people that don't like to use google

galapogos01 · 09-05-2021, 01:11 PM

fyi we have the Vgate iCar locally with warranty. Works great with Forscan on iOS, Android and PC. Also works on AU Falcon with PWM OBD2.

https://www.tiperformance.com.au/pro...l-code-reader/

NZ XR6 · 09-05-2021, 02:19 PM

That's a good price compared to what I would have paid locally in NZ.

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NZ XR6 · 11-05-2021, 02:39 PM

It arrived on Monday so less than 2 weeks from China. Not much slower than FedEx from the US to NZ at present!

It came with instructions for OBD Auto Doctor, which was very easy to set up and use. I will install Forscan on the new laptop and see how that goes.

I don't think I can leave it plugged in though. It is easy to insert, but difficult to remove - is there some kind of latch? It's difficult to see the OBD2 connector as it is buried in the dash.

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T3rminator · 11-05-2021, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

It arrived on Monday so less than 2 weeks from China. Not much slower than FedEx from the US to NZ at present!

It came with instructions for OBD Auto Doctor, which was very easy to set up and use. I will install Forscan on the new laptop and see how that goes.

I don't think I can leave it plugged in though. It is easy to insert, but difficult to remove - is there some kind of latch? It's difficult to see the OBD2 connector as it is buried in the dash.

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Hmmmm, the ODB2 socket on a falcon is easy to access, and you can just leave it in. Not sure about a Mondeo, if the panel cover is not tall enough, then you won't be able to leave it in, which would be a shame as its pretty cool to monitor things like oil temp, intake air temp, cylinder head temp live.

More importantly, how does it perform? Does it connect fast? Does it maintain connection well? Are you able to read many of the sensors?

Another popular app is Torque Pro. It has a much better user interface IMO, but the PIDs were written for the US fords, so some of them don't work unless you know how to modify the formula....but that gets risky!

NZ XR6 · 11-05-2021, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Hmmmm, the ODB2 socket on a falcon is easy to access, and you can just leave it in. Not sure about a Mondeo, if the panel cover is not tall enough, then you won't be able to leave it in, which would be a shame as its pretty cool to monitor things like oil temp, intake air temp, cylinder head temp live.

More importantly, how does it perform? Does it connect fast? Does it maintain connection well? Are you able to read many of the sensors?

Another popular app is Torque Pro. It has a much better user interface IMO, but the PIDs were written for the US fords, so some of them don't work unless you know how to modify the formula....but that gets risky!

It does connect quickly, but takes maybe 10 seconds to sync with the app. All I've done so far is check the reason for the CEL but I will play with it some more at the weekend.

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T3rminator · 17-05-2021, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ XR6

It does connect quickly, but takes maybe 10 seconds to sync with the app. All I've done so far is check the reason for the CEL but I will play with it some more at the weekend.

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So what's your verdict?

NZ XR6 · 17-05-2021, 06:22 PM

I've installed Forscan on my phone and it's working. It does seem to take a little while to connect and start streaming data but I have nothing to compare it with.

I need to get a dash mount for the phone. It's cool being able to display stuff on the screen and watch it in real time.

I can't quite get the cover to the OBD port closed though. I am taping it closed in the meantime while I figure out how to modify the latch.

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